According to some people, Crocs are either the best or worst thing for your feet.
While many consumers claim that the comfort a croc pair of shoes offers is unlike anything else, others see them only as a fashion faux pas.
Regardless, the price for Crocs turns some people away because it is so high.
You may wonder what makes Crocs so expensive in the first place.
Here are 10 reasons Crocs are so expensive.
Why Are Crocs So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)
1. Croslite Material
Many mistakenly believe the material that makes up Crocs is rubber.
That isn’t the case.
Crocs are actually made out of a proprietary material called Croslite.
It’s a type of resin that only the company knows how to make.
The resin uses foam cells that conform to the wearer’s feet rather than remaining rigid.
The reason that this makes Crocs expensive is that they have to make it themselves.
The proprietary formula doesn’t exist anywhere else, so they can’t buy it wholesale at a cheap price.
They have to absorb the full cost of producing the material from their own funds.
Since there’s no way for them to drive down the cost of production, they have to increase the price of the Crocs to be able to afford the production and still make a profit.
The material is also high-quality.
They can’t use low-quality versions of the resin because then the Crocs will become too soft or too rigid.
To make it high-quality, they need to use more materials, and those materials need to fit their standards.
That might mean they waste a few materials during their production process.
The problem then is that they need to make up for those costs.
Hence the expensive price tag on Crocs.
2. Durable
Besides their incredible comfort, Crocs are also known for their durability.
The resin material makes them waterproof.
People can wear them while out in the water or during the rain.
Since Crocs can transition between land and water, many use them when they visit the beach or go boating.
They know that the water won’t make them deteriorate.
Nor do they have to worry about bringing an extra pair of shoes when they’re on land.
That sort of convenience is thanks to its durability.
Crocs can also stand up to hot temperatures.
Their wearers can keep their feet cool during the hot summer temperatures and walk on the hot sidewalk without worrying about them breaking down.
Some even wear them hiking since they absorb the impact of sharp rocks.
Their durability means wearers don’t have to worry about the rocks ripping them to pieces.
To make them durable, the manufacturers need to use a precise formula and a number of materials to make them.
That costs money.
They need to acquire the materials, then they need to have labor that can oversee the construction of the shoes.
Since production can sometimes take a longer time due to the number of materials used, it only adds to the labor costs.
That means a higher price on the Crocs to pay for those costs.
3. Long-Lasting
Crocs are long-lasting.
Thanks to their durability and the nature of the Croslite material, they can last for years.
They tend to outlive their purpose.
Because Crocs can last a long time, consumers need to buy fewer of them.
To make up for the loss in profit, the company has to price its product at a higher price point.
This spreads their profit out enough to cover the loss they’re receiving through a lack of repeated purchases.
While some people will buy a few pairs of Crocs, many only ever buy a single pair because they last such a long time.
Another reason that Crocs are expensive due to their long-lasting nature is the production costs.
To make them long-lasting, Crocs are made with high-quality materials.
They cost money.
To recover the manufacturer’s costs, Crocs are expensive.
4. Health-Based
The company claims that Crocs are good for the health of your feet.
Crocs conform to each foot’s shape.
That ensures that you receive the support that you need.
If you ever experienced something like sprained ankles, sore feet, or even sore arches, then it may be because your shoes don’t support your feet.
Crocs do.
While some researchers debate the effectiveness of their support, the company believes that they do.
That means they can place a higher price on the Crocs.
They’re not only comfortable, but they make your feet healthier.
People will willingly pay more for a pair of shoes that can keep their feet healthy and safe.
Another reason Crocs have a reputation for being healthy is their open nature.
They have several vents and open spaces that allow for air circulation.
This can keep your feet healthy by reducing the chances of developing certain types of foot fungus.
Fungus grows in dark, wet, areas.
Your shoes are an ideal place for it to grow.
Sweat from your foot gives fungus plenty of moisture in which to breed and spread.
This is why foot doctors will tell you not to wear shoes with your bare feet.
It increases the amount of moisture in your shoe.
When fungus starts to grow inside of the shoe, your bare feet then make contact with it.
Needing organic matter for sustenance, the fungus will latch onto your foot and start to grow there instead.
Toe and foot fungus can be painful, embarrassing, and takes a long time to clear up.
Crocs reduce the chances of developing toe and foot fungus because it allows the shoe to breathe.
Fungus doesn’t grow well in open areas that experience direct sunlight.
The vents also help keep your feet cooler.
You’ll produce less sweat which means fungus will have less moisture in which to grow.
Because the company can claim several health benefits of their shoes, they can put Crocs at a higher price point.
They serve multiple functions.
As people try to live healthier lives, they’re more willing to invest in a pair of Crocs that can keep their feet healthy.
5. Unique Design
There’s no question that Crocs have a unique design entirely their own.
The design came from three friends.
Scott Seamans, George Boedecker, and Lyndon Hanson were on a trip to the Caribbean.
Seaman had just bought a clog-like shoe from a Canadian company that used foam to make their shoes.
The result was a shoe that didn’t slip.
Considering how easy it is to slip while wearing sandals, the three realized they had a potential design for a new shoe.
They worked together on creating a summer shoe that would be great to wear in all types of environments.
They emphasized comfort and reliability.
No matter how wet the shoes became, you’d never slip out of them.
Through their designs, they also found ways to make the shoe supportive for foot health.
Their final design is the Croc many know and love today.
There’s no question that in a lineup with other shoes, a consumer could easily pick out the Croc design from the other types of summer shoes.
This unique design is also why Crocs are so expensive.
Shoes that look like any other kind of shoe don’t make a lasting impression.
They’re only another shoe.
They’re mass-produced and cookie-cutter.
That makes them appear cheap.
Crocs, thanks to their unique design, stand out from the rest.
Since they don’t look like any other kind of shoe, the company is able to increase their price.
People will pay more for a unique shoe design that others don’t have.
That’s why Crocs tend to be more expensive than other summer shoes.
6. Comfort
There’s no question that Crocs are one of the most comfortable shoes on the market.
They’re made to be.
The special resin they use literally makes the shoe conform to your feet.
You don’t have to worry about trying on several different pairs to find the right width or height in the arch.
The shoe will do most of the work for you.
Many people who buy Crocs do so because of their comfort factor rather than their fashion sense.
There’s no beating a comfortable shoe when you have to stand on your feet several hours in the day.
They reduce the number of blisters that you acquire on your feet, too, thanks to their comfort.
The holes and design fit around your foot in such a way that it receives plenty of airflow and minimal contact with the shoe.
As a result, the shoe rubs into your skin less.
It also produces less sweat to form blisters.
Many people are happy to buy a more expensive shoe if it means ultimate comfort.
That’s the case with Crocs.
The company knows they can ask for a high price because the comfort of their Crocs is unquestionable.
Their target audience is those seeking comfortable shoes to wear in any type of environment.
The croc offers just that.
Since they’re in the lead for the most comfortable shoe design, they can set the price for the rest of the market.
That price happens to be expensive.
7. Collector’s Item
Some consider Crocs to be a collector’s item.
The fact that they’re so ugly but so loved makes them unique.
There are also different colors and slightly different versions of Crocs.
The fact that there are different editions of Crocs, rather than just one standard color, makes them more collectible.
They’re also a part of the culture.
There’s an ongoing war between those who stand behind Crocs and those who believe they’re the devil incarnate in the world of fashion.
That sort of attention makes some collections worth some money.
Others simply collect Crocs because they love them.
The reason that Crocs are expensive is that they’re collectible.
Anything that becomes collectible increases its original price.
That’s because the company knows more people want to get their hands on certain types or colors of Crocs to complete their collections.
With demand soaring, they can keep the supply about the same and charge more for their Crocs.
Eventually, those collectors may turn around and sell their entire collection of Crocs to like-minded people.
The company wants a piece of that profit, too.
That’s why they’ll sell some Crocs that they know people are going to want to collect at a higher price.
8. Limited Editions
Crocs often partner with other celebrities and brands to make limited edition Crocs.
These types of Crocs are more expensive than their standard Crocs because there’s only a select number of them.
Since they’re rarer, the demand for them soars.
It also means that the prices for them soar.
Crocs have partnered with Justin Bieber, KISS, and even Kentucky Fried Chicken to make limited edition Crocs.
They also frequently partner with artists.
Each partnership comes up with a new design that represents the partner on the shoes.
They’re fun and different, and people who love Crocs tend to want a pair.
Those who collect Crocs especially want a piece of limited editions.
Since there are only a few of them, the resale value on certain pairs of Crocs can be extremely high.
You’ll often find that buying them from a reseller is far more expensive than buying them directly from Crocs.
If there’s a limited edition coming out, then you know it’s going to have a high price.
9. Easy Maintenance
Maintaining your shoes is difficult.
They often need cleaning which is almost impossible to do on your own without ruining them.
Certain types of shoes also need special cleaning tools and materials.
If you have leather shoes, for example, then you need to learn how to treat and clean the leather the correct way.
Otherwise, you could risk ruining your shoes forever.
Other types of shoes may require less knowledge, but they’re still difficult to clean and maintain.
That isn’t the case with Crocs.
When they start to get dirty, all you need to do is take them outside and hose them down.
You can even submerge them in your sink with some soap to clean them.
The ability to easily maintain them makes the Crocs valuable to many people.
With busy lives, no one has time to properly maintain their shoes.
The ability to easily maintain their shoes, however, comes with a price.
Crocs are more expensive because they’re easy to maintain.
That’s due in part to the Croslite material it uses.
Since it uses this material, which can be expensive to produce, the Crocs need little maintenance.
That also means the company can sell Crocs at a higher price.
They know that consumers are willing to pay more for a pair of shoes that is easy to maintain.
10. Seasonal Market
Sometimes the price for Crocs fluctuates based on the season.
Crocs are a summer shoe.
They’re not ideal for winter use.
Because of that, you’ll find that Crocs are more expensive during the summer months.
This is especially true in regions that experience cold, snowy winters.
That’s because the company knows that people are going to be looking for summer shoes.
The demand for Crocs will be high.
As a result, they can increase the price to a certain point and people will still buy them.
If it’s summer or approaching summer, then you can expect Crocs to have a higher price.
How To Save Money On Crocs
While some may consider Crocs affordable, especially since they tend to last longer than other shoes, others may still want to know how they can save money on their Crocs.
Here are a few tips you can use to save money on Crocs.
1. Buy Used
Crocs last for a long time.
Because of that, many people tend to sell used Crocs when they no longer have a use for them.
While you should always be careful when buying secondhand shoes, Crocs are an exception.
You can easily dip them in bleach and water and sanitize them.
It won’t ruin the shoes, and you can be sure they’re completely safe to wear.
Used Crocs can sometimes be more expensive than new Crocs, so be mindful of where you’re buying them.
2. Choose Standard Colors
Stay away from limited editions if you want to save money.
They’re going to be pricier than standard colors and releases.
To save the most money, you’ll want to choose unloved colors.
These are the ones that no one seems to want to buy.
They may look ugly, but you’ll save some money in the process.
3. Buy In Winter
You’ll notice that Crocs are cheaper during the winter.
That’s because the demand for them is low, yet Crocs still wants to sell their shoes.
To do so, they lower the price.
You’ll find great deals on Crocs during the winter months.
Conclusion
Crocs use a unique design that offers some health benefits for your feet.
These two factors influence the price, as does the unique Croslite material that the company uses in their shoes.
It’s still possible to find inexpensive Crocs on the market using our tips above.
NEXT: Why Are Jordans So Expensive? (Top 10 Reasons)
Laurie says
Interesting article. Not a believer in the statement that “No mater how wet they become you will never slip out of them” You have never worn wet crocs on a slope before.
Hartwinder says
It’s comparison to other, chill, crocs are just apple of shoe market , they know how to sell.